Soldiers killed in Ivory Coast attack

Raid on military camp in Abidjan leaves seven dead, one day after similar attack claimed five lives.

Up to 3,000 people were killed in post-election violence in 2011 in the West African nation [AFP]

Seven soldiers have been killed by armed men in a pre-dawn raid on a military camp in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan, according to a military official.

Kouassi Kakao, chief of communications for the military chief of staff, said the assailants stormed the camp on Monday in the Abidjan neighbourhood of Cocody.

He said one of the attackers was killed, making for a total death toll of eight.

Fighting lasted nearly three hours before the army took back control of the area. Local residents saw ambulances travelling towards the camp. However, details concerning possible casualties were not immediately available.

"Individuals tried to take the new camp in Akouedo by surprise. The prompt reaction of our forces put down the attack," Guillaume Soro, the president of parliament, stated on Twitter.

"[Our soldiers] are currently carrying out clean-up operations. The situation is under control," he said.

The attack came a day after five soldiers were killed in similar raids in the Abidjan neighbourhood of Yopougon.

Military officials have speculated that the attacks were timed to coincide with Tuesday's Independence Day.

Although there have been no claims of responsibility, the attackers are believed to be allied with the deposed president Laurent Gbagbo.